The Location
Volunteers will live and work in Rajasthan or Himachal, two northern states in India. Rajasthan is a land rich in both cultural and geographical diversity, a mix of deserts, forests and mountain ranges. Himachal is situated amid snow-capped mountains and lush green valleys.

The Situation
While India is quickly developing into one of the world’s
economic powerhouses, the prosperity has been slow to
trickle down to local communities. Many provincial Indian
schools have no physical education program whatsoever.They are still struggling to provide students with even a basic academic education.

What You Can Do
Volunteers in this program use sports and physical education activities to help children develop motor skills, maintain personal health and foster a sense of teamwork. You will work with local children and organize sports activities for designated recess times and after-school programs. In doing so, you ensure that Indian children have the opportunity to “to engage in play and recreational activities appropriate to the age of the child,” a fundamental right as described by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Volunteers with the Sports Coaching Program will also have the unique opportunity to participate in a week-long adventure program to explore India and get to know fellow volunteers. In the Himalayas, the excursion will include rafting, trekking, wildlife observation and yoga. In Rajasthan, you will enjoy a wide array of Indian culture, from the major sights of Delhi to the bustling markets of Jaipur and the spiritual ambiance of Pushkar. Through your hands-on work with the Sports Coaching Program, you will gain a deeper understanding of India’s challenges while you improve the lives of many Indian children.

Airport Pickup and Orientation:
After arriving in New Delhi, you will be picked up by a volunteer coordinator and taken to your hotel. The following day, you will depart for your week-long adventure excursion. You will then have a one-week orientation at the specific work site.

Transportation:
Volunteer Adventures will arrange transportation for the following:
Airport pickup and drop-off in New Delhi
All transfers required by the program
All train journeys and other local transportation at     program locations

Accommodations:
Volunteers have access to clean and comfortable but simple rooms. The number of people varies from 2 to 3 per room at our Rajasthan program, and 4 to 6 per room at the Himachal program. All accommodations are comfortable and offer plenty of opportunities to socialize with volunteers from many countries. Volunteers enjoy meals prepared by the program staff in a communal dining area. You will also have access to a kitchen and a common area for relaxing, watching movies and holding cultural workshops.

In-Country Support:
You can expect help from program coordinators, field guides and fellow volunteers. We also provide a 24-hour cell phone number for emergencies.

Additional Activities and Excursions:
All volunteers will have the opportunity to add a one-day excursion to the city of Agra, site of the Taj Mahal, at the end of their stay. You will also be treated to a weekend yoga workshop.

Volunteers working in Rajasthan have the option to add a weekend tiger safari with one overnight stay. Volunteers in Himachal have the option to add a weekend excursion to Dharamsala, home of the Dalai Lama. Please inquire for excursion prices and any additional information.